Cardiac muscle repair or regeneration using bone marrow-derived stem cells

Abstract

Disclosed are compositions and methods for repairing and/or regenerating cardiac tissue by administering adult bone marrow-derived stem cells to an individual. These cells can be administered as a liquid injectible or as a preparation of cells in a matrix which is or becomes solid or semi-solid. The cells can be genetically modified to enhance myocardial differentiation and integration. Also disclosed is a method for replacing cells ex vivo in a heart valve for implantation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of improving left ventricular ejection fraction in a patient comprising the step of: administering to the patient adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells in an amount effective to improve ventricular ejection fraction. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells are administered intravenously or intraarterially. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells are administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises an isotonic liquid. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the isotonic liquid comprises phosphate buffer saline, physiological saline, culture medium, or 5% dextrose in water. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the isotonic liquid is physiological saline. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells are administered in a suspension containing about 10×10 6  to about 40×10 6  adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells per ml. 
     
     
       8. A method of augmenting ventricular function in a patient comprising the step of: administering to the heart of the patient in need thereof a cell suspension, wherein the cell suspension comprises adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid medium, in an effective amount to augment ventricular function. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the patient has a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than about 40%. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells are administered in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprises an isotonic liquid. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells are administered in a suspension containing about 10×10 6  to about 40×10 6  adult allogeneic bone marrow-derived stem cells per ml.